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Park temporarily closes trails in the Gatlinburg area due to bear activity

Park temporarily closes trails in the Gatlinburg area due to bear activity

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials temporarily closed the Gatlinburg Trail between Gatlinburg and Sugarlands Visitor Center, and also the Twin Creeks Trail between Gatlinburg and the Twin Creeks Science and Education Center. Both trails are closed due to a large concentration of black bears feeding on acorns. The trails will remain closed until further […]

Park Plans Prescribed Burns in Cades Cove November 2022

Park Plans Prescribed Burns in Cades Cove November 2022

Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Appalachian Piedmont Coastal Fire Management Zone staff plan to burn approximately 1,200 acres of fields in Cades Cove. Weather permitting, burn operations will occur between Tuesday, November 1 and Tuesday, November 22.  These seasonal controlled burns help perpetuate native herbaceous species that provide high quality cover and foraging opportunities for […]

Tennessee National Guard aircrew rescues hiker

Tennessee National Guard aircrew rescues hiker

A Tennessee Army National Guard medical flight crew responded to an emergency air evacuation mission for a hiker with a suspected broken leg in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park area, Oct. 14. At approximately 4:20 p.m., the Tennessee Military Department and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were notified of a hiker needing evacuation along the […]

Park reopens roads, trails, and backcountry campsites following fire and wind event

Park reopens roads, trails, and backcountry campsites following fire and wind event

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials reopened all roads, trails, and backcountry campsites following closures put in place earlier this week due to the Thomas Divide Fire Complex and the wind event. The Southern Area Gold Incident Management Team has demobilized and several team members are now assisting with fire suppression efforts in Sevier County, […]

Tennessee National Guard rescues hiker suffering from severe illness

Tennessee National Guard rescues hiker suffering from severe illness

A medical flight crew from the Tennessee National Guard conducted an emergency air evacuation mission after a hiker suffered a severe illness on the Appalachian Trail, Mar. 15. Shortly after 7:00 a.m., the Tennessee Military Department and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were notified of a hiker who was suffering from a severe illness near […]

Park invites the public to help document the Smokies Most Wanted

Park invites the public to help document the Smokies Most Wanted

Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Discover Life in America (DLiA), the nonprofit science research partner, are inviting the public to participate in the Smokies Most Wanted program. This initiative allows visitors to help preserve park species by recording sightings of animals, plants, and other organisms from their smartphones using the iNaturalist app.  Using the nature app iNaturalist, Smokies Most Wanted encourages […]

Great Smoky Mountains National Park receives $31 M to repair Foothills Parkway West

Great Smoky Mountains National Park receives $31 M to repair Foothills Parkway West

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is using $31 million in funding from the Great American Outdoor Act (GAOA) to repave the Foothills Parkway West, from Chilhowee Lake to Walland. The 17-mile roadway provides recreational experiences for more than 700,000 visitors annually. The rehabilitation project will include a series of full-lane closures starting on March 14. […]

Walker Sisters Cabin temporarily closed

Walker Sisters Cabin temporarily closed

Great Smoky Mountains National Park temporarily closed the Walker Sisters Cabin due to safety concerns. The cabin dates back to the 1800s and was occupied by the Walker Sisters until 1964. Park crews are concerned about recent movement around the chimney in the two-story cabin. Noticeable cracks and buckling around the stone masonry need to […]

Bridge Repair Work Begins Across the Park

Bridge Repair Work Begins Across the Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that the Federal Highway Administration awarded two construction contracts to replace seven bridges and repair seven others across the park. The work will continue through January 19, 2022 and necessitates several single-lane closures and a few full road closures to safely accomplish the repairs.   Forge Creek Road […]

Discovery of Human Remains, Park Closes Hazel Creek Trail and Backcountry Campsite 82

Discovery of Human Remains, Park Closes Hazel Creek Trail and Backcountry Campsite 82

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have closed campsite 82 and a section of Hazel Creek Trail after rangers have discovered the remains of an out-of-state adult male at the campsite.  On the afternoon of September 11, backpackers found an unoccupied tent at campsite 82.  Shortly thereafter, the hikers discovered what appeared to be human […]